Here’s a peek at the top of my very long to-be-read list, which, well, let’s be honest, is a to-be-read bookshelf at this point.
Some will be familiar with Griffith’s last book, Leaving Silence: Sexualized Violence, the Bible, and Standing With Survivors, published by Herald Press and was a Christianity Today Book Award finalist for Christian discipleship. Forgiveness after Trauma “explores what the Bible says — and doesn’t say — about the biblical call to forgive. She helps readers understand this command in ways that are healing and restorative, framing it within broader concerns around lament, anger, accountability, release and rebirth and reconciliation.”
After reading My Body Is Not a Prayer Request by Amy Kenny, and our recent issue of Anabaptist World focusing on disabilities, I have been convicted of my own ableism. I need to learn to, as the saying goes, “know better, do better” in regards to loving God and loving others, and seek to live out my calling to the ministry of reconciliation. “As a Black autistic pastor and disability scholar, Lamar Hardwick lives at the intersection of disability, race and religion. Tied to this reality, he heeded the call to write How Ableism Fuels Racism to help Christian communities engage in critical conversations about race by addressing issues of ableism.”
3. Song of the Seasons by Glenys Nellist, and illustrated by C.B. Canga
Nellist is one of my favorite authors. Her books, written for children, are powerful for forming the faith of all ages. We love her Love Letters from God series, the Good News! series and, of course, the Little Mole series. Her newest book is based on Psalm 98, and it celebrates the beauty of each season and explores the idea that all nature sings praise to an Almighty Creator. Nellist has also written some amazing free (with purchase of the book) resources! Check out the website for a five-day Vacation Bible school curriculum, story walk and a parent pack.
4. Marrying Mr. Wrong by Melissa Jagears
This is the fourth book in the Frontier Vows series. Besides being a sweet frontier romance, this series deals with some heavy real-world issues. Betrayal, financial crimes, manipulation, beauty and self-esteem and more — this series is gritty and full of grace. I like to talk about the series as “Christian Romance with something to sink your teeth into.” “Gwendolyn McGill wants to be loved and accepted for who she is, but that’s hard to do in a small town where everyone judges her by the scandal her father caused. Unfortunately, the man she hoped would sweep her away from all the wagging tongues is no longer interested in marrying her. Unable to leave town, she’s determined to prove she’s more than just a pretty face who knows how to bat her eyelashes.”
5. A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski
I needed a queer history book for a reading challenge I’m participating in, so this was the top audiobook hit on my Libby app through the local public library. I hope to learn, understand and gain empathy in reading this. “A Queer History of the United States is more than a ‘who’s who’ of queer history: it is a book that radically challenges how we understand American history. Drawing upon primary-source documents, literature and cultural histories, scholar and activist Michael Bronski charts the breadth of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, from 1492 to the 1990s.”
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